U.S. Customs

There is no U.S. Customs representative in Russia. The United States Customs office closest to Russia is located at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany:

Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Consulate Frankfurt

Tel : 0049 69 7535-3876

Fax : 0049 69 7535-3780

Open Monday to Friday 9AM to 12 and 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

The office of Customs and Border Protection can provide prompt and authoritative responses to questions regarding import or export regulations and requirements for the United States.

For further information, please visit the U.S. Customs website at www.cbp.gov and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at www.aphis.usda.gov. The importation of seafood is governed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) http://www.fws.gov/ and the Fish and Wildlife Service www.fws.gov

Please also see our Frequently Asked Questions related to U.S. customs below.

Information on U.S. Customs

1. Food and agricultural products

A. Allowed food products

B. Forbidden food products

C. Alcoholic beverages

D. Tobacco

2. Medicines/narcotics

3. Pets

4. Money

5. Firearms and ammunition

6. Tax return

7. Gifts sent by mail

8. Motor vehicles

9. Ashes of deceased people

10. Other products

11. Suitcases

1. Food and Agricultural Products

Declare all agricultural products when entering the U.S.

A. Food Products which can be taken into the U.S. include:

• Baked goods, such as breads, cookies, cakes, and bakery items

• Powdered baby formula

• Gluten-free food

• Candy and chocolate

• Caviar, fish: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been authorized by FWS to allow travelers to bring in only 125 grams of caviar. If the traveler has more than 125 grams of caviar, the goods will be subject to seizure. Please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that the seafood you intend to import is not subject to any restrictions.

Nonresidents who are at least 21 years old may bring in, free of duty and internal revenue tax, up to one liter of alcoholic beverage - beer, wine, liquor, vodka - for personal use. Quantities above the one-liter limitation are subject to duty and internal revenue tax.

In addition to U.S. federal laws, the traveler must also meet state alcoholic beverage laws which may be more restrictive. If the state in which you arrive permits less liquor than you have legally brought into the United States, that State's laws apply to your importation of alcoholic beverages.

The shipment of alcoholic beverages by mail is prohibited by United States postal laws.

D. Tobacco

You are permitted to bring 100 cigars or 200 cigarettes (one carton) into the U.S. duty free. Cuban cigars are prohibited.

2. Medicine/Narcotics

The importation of narcotics and dangerous drugs is prohibited. There are severe civil and/or criminal penalties for illegal importation of controlled substances. You must declare all medications to Customs when entering the United States.

• Carry only such quantity as would normally be used by an individual having the health problem requiring the drugs or medicines in your possession

• Have either a current prescription or written statement from your personal physician that the medicine is being used under a doctor's direction and that it is necessary for your physical well-being while traveling. The doctor’s note should state the name and the exact quantity of the medicine you are bringing into the U.S.

• Carry all medication in your hand luggage (including needles for diabetics) also in case of loss of luggage

It is recommended to ask for a medical passport from your pharmacy/physician.

Medication can be sent by post if the prescription or doctor's letter is included. A notation should be placed on the outside of the parcel stating, for example, "DOCTOR'S LETTER ATTACHED."

3. Pets

Always check with your airline before departure.

• Cats must be free of evidence of disease when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense.

• Dogs must be free of evidence of diseases and must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to arrival. (This requirement does not apply to puppies less than three months of age; puppies up to three months must be confined at the owner's expense, then immunized and confined for an additional 30 days.)

A valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the animal. This certificate should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration, and bear the signature of a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination is no more than 12 months prior to arrival in the United States.

Note that different rules may apply in Hawaii and Guam. U.S. Customs has published a useful brochure called Pets and Wildlife, Licensing and Health Requirements on www.cbp.gov

4. Money

There is no limit on the total amount of monetary instruments (U.S. or foreign coin, travelers checks, money orders and securities etc.), that may be brought into or taken out of the United States.

However, if you transport or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means), more than $10,000 in monetary instruments into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount, you must file appropriate paperwork with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Please see their website for details at: http://www.cbp.gov/.

5. Firearms and Ammunition

It is prohibited for nonimmigrant aliens to import firearms and ammunition.

However, if your travel to the U.S. is primarily for the purpose of hunting or lawful sporting activities, your firearms and ammunition may be brought into the United States provided you take the firearms and any remaining unfired ammunition out of the United States when you depart.

For complete information and to obtain the necessary permits to import firearms, contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury, Firearms and Explosives Import Branch http://www.atf.gov/

6. VAT

The United States does not have a VAT. Sales taxes in the Unites States are assessed and collected by various State and local authorities, not by the Federal Government. Only the State of Louisiana has any provisions to refund the sales tax to visiting tourists and business travelers. Therefore, unless purchases were made in Louisiana, no sales tax refund is possible.

7. Duty-free Gift Allowance

Gifts Sent By Mail

Persons in the U.S. may receive, free of duty, a gift mailed from a foreign country if the retail value of the shipment does not exceed $100. You may send as many gifts as you wish, but the U.S. addressee will be required to pay duty if the gift parcels received in one day total more than $100. Gifts that exceed these amounts will be subject to customs duty based on the entire value. There is no $100 deduction.

Packages should be marked with the following clearly written on the outside wrapping:

• "Unsolicited Gift"

• The name of the donor

• Nature of the gift

• Fair retail value

Alcoholic beverages, cigars, cigarettes, and perfumes containing alcohol are not included within this gift privilege.

Gifts intended for more than one person may be consolidated in the same package provided they are individually wrapped and labeled with the name of the recipient.

Be sure that the outer wrapping of the package is marked:

• “Unsolicited Gift”

• “Consolidated Gift”

• The name of the donor

• Nature of the gift

• Its fair retail value

• Names of the recipients listed and the value of each gift

Attention to these procedures will facilitate Customs clearance of your package.

8. Motor Vehicles

You may temporarily import an automobile, trailer, airplane, motorcycle, boat, or similar vehicle for your personal use. Motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment for personal use may be imported for a period of one year or less. The vehicle must be imported in connection with your arrival and be owned by you or on order prior to your departure.

A vehicle not complying with all applicable Federal laws (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) cannot be sold in the United States. For more information please consult www.cbp.gov

9. Remains

You can legally transport the ashes of a deceased person into the U.S., under the following conditions:

• The ashes should be transported in a non-metallic urn

• They ashes be accompanied by an International Death Certificate and an International

Cremation Certificate.

• The ashes should be carried with your hand luggage

The urn can be subject to inspection, and it is recommended to arrive early at the airport.

10. Other Products

Some items, which are permitted in the Netherlands, are not allowed in the U.S. and will be confiscated by Customs. Such items include ivory ornaments, sealskin and certain other coats, certain exotic animals, tortoiseshell and feathers. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has a list of Prohibited and Restricted Items at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml